As we are nearing the end of the “dry January” and many are choosing not to drink alcohol during the month, there are actually a few things that can help people continue this trend into February. It has some health benefits.
Here’s what we found.
Alcohol Can Make Your Anxiety and Depression Worse
The Washington Post reports that when Richard A. Friedman, Ph.D., advised his patients being treated for depression and anxiety to abstain from alcohol on the weekends, they felt “significantly better.” reported to have found
Friedman wrote of his patient: He had begun drinking every night to combat the anxiety caused by the previous night’s alcohol, setting up an autonomous cycle of depression, anxiety, and drinking.
“Alcohol is one of the leading behavior-related causes of health problems and death, as well as part of the social problem and economic cost,” said Dr. Tim Naimi of the University of Victoria in an interview, PBS said. reported.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the costs of alcohol are found in workplace productivity, law enforcement, criminal justice costs, medical costs, and car accidents.
Despite alcohol’s cost in time and physical expense, it also has a cost on people’s mental and emotional well-being.
“There are very complex but important relationships between alcohol and things like depression and anxiety in particular. So yes, alcohol may have a causative role in them. But it certainly can also exacerbate or exacerbate existing mental health conditions, especially depression,” continued Naimi.
Alcohol negatively affects sleep patterns
Many people believe that alcohol improves sleep quality, but science would challenge that stance.
Despite helping people fall asleep in the first place, “alcohol produces a highly fragmented, non-restorative ‘manufactured’ sleep. It’s almost impossible to meet the need,” says sleep-tracking app company Rise.
Drink Aware reports: Even just a few cups can help. ”
What changes are being made by the impact?
Deseret News reported that Canada’s new alcohol guidelines suggest citizens should only have two drinks a week.
“The main message from this new guidance is that alcohol in any amount is not good for your health,” said Erin Hobin, senior scientist at Public Health Ontario. Less is better.”
